Left to right: Cole Svendson in action; Pod owner Ronnie Paterson with Connor Beemish; David Moody and Whalers head coach Jason Rogers.
‘Big Goal’ Cole Svendson signs in Junior ‘A’
WHITE ROCK – In preparation for the 2021-2022 season only three weeks away, the Whalers have made a number of moves.
Four familiar faces will not return to Centennial Arena: Cole Svendson and Connor Beemish have committed to new teams; David Moody and Seth Hebert were traded.
‘Big Goal’ goes to Ontario
Cole Svendson has moved on to lace up for a Junior ‘A’ franchise: the Renfrew (Ont.) Wolves. A physically imposing presence, he scored 19 times in his rookie season for the Whalers, and picked up the Most Inspirational Player award at the team banquet.
Whaler Cole Svendson (centre) won the team's Most Inspirational Player award in 2019-2020, presented by Mike Scardina, Tile Town. | Photo: Alistair Burns - White Rock Whalers
Owner Ronnie Paterson (left) with Whaler Connor Beemish at the team's 2020 awards banquet. Beemish will now play at Central Michigan U. | Photo: Alistair Burns - White Rock Whalers
Connor Beemish (12) fights for possession after a face-off.
Beemish continues education in Michigan
Alternate captain Connor Beemish has committed to Central Michigan University, part of the American Collegiate Hockey Association (an alternative to the NCAA). During his two years as a Whaler, Beemish was a popular figure, and won the 2019 Alumni award for his dedication on and off the ice.
Hebert saddles up in Princeton
Another trade involved forward Seth Hebert, who will join a posse – the Princeton Posse. During the brief 2020-2021 season (cut short last November due to the pandemic lockdown) Hebert put up two points in four games for the Pod.
Moody on the Island
On the trade front, swift-skating centre David Moody was traded to the Peninsula Panthers for a player development fee. In two years with the Pod, Moody worked exceptionally hard – he went from affiliate to a roster spot.
It’s “very difficult having this young man leave our organization,” said Julian Feijo, assistant coach for the Whalers.
Head coach Jason Rogers (right) presents Whaler David Moody with the Top Scholastic Player award in 2020. After a trade, Moody will now play on Vancouver Island.